A local activist group confronting climate change, 350 Roaring Fork, invites members of the community to attend its Winter Film Series, designed to educate and facilitate conversation and action. The series kicked off on Jan. 11 at the Carbondale Library with the movie “Bidder 70,” and is scheduled to run through March 27 when the group will screen the final film, “A Land Out of Time.” Co-leaders of the organization, Jennifer Moore and Fred Malo, chose six different films to screen, including “Fracking the System,” which is set for Feb. 24 at the Glenwood Springs Library where filmmaker Brian Hedden will be in attendance.
‘Bidder 70’
When introducing the first film, “Bidder 70,” Moore acknowledged that while it was released 12 years ago, it’s empowering for viewers to see the impacts of just one person’s actions through the documentation of Tim DeChristopher’s trial and subsequent jail time after taking a stand against oil and gas companies.
“The film is a story of what one person can do. Tim DeChristopher saved two National Parks during the Utah auction and did not back down,” Moore said. “(It’s) one thing to be committed (and) another thing to go that far. That kind of commitment is really cool.”
DeChristopher was a college student during the auction in 2008, when he outbid oil and gas companies in order to preserve over 22,000 acres of land for $1.7 million. Once the auction was invalidated, DeChristopher was indicted for two federal felonies and the film follows him as he turns down plea deals, navigates nine trial postponements and rallies other grassroots activists in peaceful demonstrations for climate justice.
When DeChistopher falsely entered the auction, he was registered as Bidder 70. The film shows footage from various peaceful demonstrations, including when fellow activists gathered outside of the courthouse for his sentencing with signs and shirts reading “We are all Bidder 70.”
Ultimately, DeChristopher was sentenced to two years in prison despite the support and awareness he received. Moore happened to be in Moab on the day he was released in 2014, and said his endeavors and commitment to the cause were just as strong, if not stronger.
Who is 350.org?
350 Roaring Fork falls under 350 Colorado which branched off from the national organization, 350.org, started in 2011. The group’s mission is to halt the use of fossil fuels and to uncover alternative solutions that work to preserve the climate instead of destroying it.
“The number 350 means climate safety,” the 350 Colorado website states. “To preserve a livable planet, scientists tell us that 350 parts per million (ppm) is the safe upper limit of CO2 in the atmosphere.”
According to an article published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in May 2023, carbon dioxide levels hit a new record of 424 ppm at the time. In the same article, it’s noted that the primary cause behind rising CO2 levels is the burning of fossil fuels for energy.
Malo said 350 Roaring Fork is encouraging people to attend these film screenings and hopefully inspire action by raising awareness. “Some pounding on desks with fists needs to happen,” Malo laughed when asked what the ultimate goal of the film series was.
One of the most recent accomplishments mentioned on 350 Roaring Fork’s website, was its hand in helping halt the transportation of huge amounts of waxy, crude heated oil by way of the Uinta Basin Railway through the Glenwood Canyon.
Malo and Moore agreed that the oil would not only harm the natural beauty and wildlife within the Glenwood Canyon, but a spill in the Colorado river would contaminate drinking water for individuals beyond the Valley.
There is no cost of admission for the film screenings, but a donation of $5-$10 is suggested to support the continuation of the 350 Roaring Fork’s film series in the future. For updates on the group’s actions and for those looking to get involved, visit www.350Colorado.org/RoaringFork
350 Roaring Fork Winter Film Series
Jan. 31 – 6pm (Carbondale Library) “Kiss the Ground”
Feb. 22 – 6pm (Carbondale Library) “American Outrage”
Feb. 24 – 6pm (Glenwood Library) “Fracking the System,” with filmmaker Brian Hedden in attendance.
March 13 – 6pm (Carbondale Library) “Happening: A Clean Energy Revolution”
March 27 – 6pm (Carbondale Library) “A Land Out of Time”